MONTPELIER — The Obama administration has asked Vermont whether it can house immigrant children who have crossed into the United States over the Mexican border.

Gov. Peter Shumlin’s office says that it’s willing to investigate locations and logistical requirements and work with them “to determine if Vermont would be an appropriate host state.”

Democratic opposition increased Wednesday to legal changes that would speed removals of young Central American migrants, jeopardizing President Barack Obama’s call for $3.7 billion in emergency border spending to deal with the surge of unaccompanied youths at the South Texas border.

The Burlington Free Press first reported that the Democratic Shumlin’s office said “Vermont has a long history of offering help to those from other countries in need, and we are willing to explore whether we can lend a helping hand as this crisis is resolved.”